Summary

Champions League returns

  1. 'Quality been showing since the first session'published at 15:34 BST 16 September

    Liverpool v Atletico Madrid (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk on Alexander Isak: "Very good impression, very eager. Obviously the quality he's been showing already since the first session.

    "Only positives and off the pitch as well, we're having conversations - I spoke to him during the international break once everything was sorted.

    "It's now about getting him as fit as possible and to understand each one of us as quickly as possible. How we train, how we press, our set pieces so it's been a good week for him and let's see tomorrow."

    Isak, Van Dijk and other Liverpool players in trainingImage source, Getty Images
  2. Postpublished at 15:33 BST 16 September

    Liverpool v Atletico Madrid (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Liverpool

    Virgil van Dijk says Alexander Isak has made a good impression so far but says the striker is a "replacement" rather than an addition.

    He mentions that Liverpool have lost plenty of quality from their forward line from last season and so they need more quality players.

  3. Postpublished at 15:29 BST 16 September

    Liverpool v Atletico Madrid (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be coming up shortly but first it's the skipper, Virgil van Dijk...

    Remember you can watch and hear what he has to say at the top of this page.

  4. Injury concerns for Liverpool?published at 15:28 BST 16 September

    Liverpool v Atletico Madrid (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Liverpool

    Based on those we saw participating in training a little earlier, the only injury concern for Liverpool would appear to be over Curtis Jones.

    The homegrown midfielder missed the win at Burnley and was not among those training at the AXA Training Centre this lunchtime.

    Other than that, Alexis Mac Allister was on the receiving end of a nasty tackle from Lesley Ugochukwu at the weekend but was in training and Jeremie Frimpong made his comeback from a hamstring injury on Sunday.

    So unless anyone sustained an injury after the cameras went off earlier, the big talking point will again be Alexander Isak and how involved he might be against Atletico tomorrow night.

    We'll find out what Arne Slot has to say very soon...

  5. No Alvarez but Atletico still pose a threatpublished at 15:25 BST 16 September

    Liverpool v Atletico Madrid (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Atletico Madrid

    Alexander Sorloth and Antoine GriezmannImage source, Getty Images

    It has not been the best start to the season for Atletico Madrid with Saturday's win over Villarreal their first league victory.

    However, we have all seen enough of Diego Simeone's side over the past decade or more to know just have much a challenge their pose any opponent.

    They will be without Julian Alvarez. The former Manchester City striker is missing from the squad because of a knee complaint.

    But there are plenty of other threats for Liverpool to be wary of - not least Alexander Sorloth, who scored 21 league goals last year, and Antoine Griezmann, still going strong at 34.

  6. 'I would take Kerkez out for Robertson'published at 15:23 BST 16 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Milos Kerkez and Andrew RobertsonImage source, Getty Images

    Wajid: Hi, Liverpool fan here. What are your thoughts on Arne Slot’s comments regarding Milos Kerkez? He hooked him off after 38 mins against Burnley and put Robbo (Andrew Robertson) on and it feels to me like he doesn't fancy him. Is the shirt too heavy for him?

    Hello, Wajid. I was at Turf Moor and Slot explained that he was concerned about a red card, with Kerkez having already booked for diving and with the Burnley fans very much on his case. So I do not think it is anything like Slot not fancying him. It was sensible management.

    In general terms, I think Kerkez has looked a bit too rash and frantic in his early Liverpool appearances. I would take him out and go with the experience of Andrew Robertson.

  7. Reds' recent Champions League campaignspublished at 15:20 BST 16 September

    Liverpool v Atletico Madrid (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool have gone out in the last 16 in each of their past two Champions League campaigns.

    Since winning their sixth European Cup in Madrid in 2019, teams from the city have proven to have their number more often than not...

    • 2018-19: Winners (beat Tottenham 2-0 in the final)
    • 2019-20: Last 16 (lost 4-2 on aggregate by Atletico Madrid)
    • 2020-21: Quarter-finals (lost 3-1 on aggregate to Real Madrid)
    • 2021-22: Runners-up (lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in the final)
    • 2022-23: Last 16 (lost 6-2 on aggregate to Real Madrid)
    • 2024-25: Last 16 (lost on penalties to Paris St-Germain)
  8. Postpublished at 15:15 BST 16 September

    Liverpool v Atletico Madrid (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    A reminder that we have a Champions League live stream starting at 15:15 BST - that's any moment now - and you can watch at the top of this very page.

    It will include Arne Slot's press conference that begins at 15:30 BST.

  9. Four wins from fourpublished at 15:11 BST 16 September

    Liverpool v Atletico Madrid (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool players celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Discourse around Liverpool's start to the season has been interesting.

    In many ways, they have begun the defence of their Premier League title as well as they possibly could, winning their first four games.

    However, all four have been secured by late - some very late - goals which has led to talk of them being unconvincing, leaky at the back and not having any rhythm going forward.

    No doubt they have not been at their best, but given they have beaten Arsenal and Bournemouth - who have each won their other three games - scored three against Newcastle, who have kept clean sheets in their other three games and inflicted Scott Parker's first ever home defeat as Burnley boss, you have to wonder what will happen when the new players gel and they do start playing well.

    That leaky defence has only allowed only one shot on target in the past two games as well.

    It bring to mind a quote from legendary former Reds boss Bill Shankly: "Ay, here we are with problems at the top of the league."

  10. Postpublished at 15:08 BST 16 September

    Liverpool v Atletico Madrid (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Sam Drury
    BBC Sport journalist

    Thanks, Craig.

    We do have Arne Slot to come but before we hear from the Dutchman let's have a look at Liverpool, their start to the season and their La Liga opponents...

  11. Postpublished at 15:02 BST 16 September

    Liverpool v Atletico Madrid (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    I am going to hand you over to my colleagues Sam Drury and Melissa Edwards now.

    They will be switching focus to Liverpool as we prepare for Arne Slot's pre-match news conference, which is due to start at 15:30 BST.

    Liverpool kick off their Champions League campaign with a tough-looking tie at home to Atletico Madrid.

    We will be streaming a Champions League preview show in this page, which is due to start at 15:15 and will include Slot's news conference.

    Click the 'watch live' play icon to follow.

  12. Premier League teams under the most pressure?published at 14:57 BST 16 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Liverpool v Arsenal actionImage source, Getty Images

    Benjamin: Given the record spending from Premier League teams this summer, what kind of pressure will the English clubs competing in the competition be under to succeed?

    Hi, Benjamin. Given the amount of money the Premier League sides in the Champions League have spent, I would suggest they would all be under a lot of pressure but particularly Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City because they would be regarded as teams expected to make the very late stages of the tournament.

  13. 'City's quality will test any team they play'published at 14:52 BST 16 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images

    Harry: Hi Phil, Man City fan here - I'm relatively pessimistic about our CL run and don't think we're really in contention. I hope to be wrong but I'm curious, what do you think of our CL fixtures? Have you got any causes for optimism I can cling on to?

    Hello, Harry. I think the cause of optimism is the quality of player that remains in Manchester City’s squad. When they get it right they can beat anyone.

    Real Madrid away is a stand-out game, especially after being well beaten there last season, but I would fully expect City to reach the knockout stage, then their quality will test any team they play.

    And you also have a new goalkeeper in Gianluigi Donnarumma who was outstanding when Paris St-Germain won the Champions League last season.

    Does that make you feel any better?

  14. 'Worry the goalkeeper isn't the quality required to win a title'published at 14:47 BST 16 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Joao Pedro and Robert SanchezImage source, Getty Images

    Greg: Would you agree that Chelsea's recent tournament successes make them not-so-dark horses for this year's title?

    Hello, Greg. There is something about Chelsea – I’m talking goalkeeper Robert Sanchez – that makes me think they will not win the Premier League, but at the very least they should finish in the top four and there is no doubt they have the players, and the numbers, to make a serious challenge.

    Just worry the goalkeeper is not the quality required to win a title. My only proviso (excuse) is that Chelsea usually find a way to win something.

  15. Buonanotte available for Bayern Munichpublished at 14:43 BST 16 September

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

    BuonanotteImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea have given new signing Facundo Buonanotte a place in their Champions League squad at the expense of midfielder Dario Essugo.

    The 20-year-old was signed on loan from Brighton on transfer deadline day but initially didn't make the squad under manager Enzo Maresca due to Uefa's squad limits.

    However, Uefa have since introduced a provision allowing clubs to make changes due to major injuries.

    Essugo has dropped out of the squad after having surgery on an thigh injury that he sustained while with Portugal's Under-21s team during the last international break.

    Buonanotte is now available for the trip to Bayern Munich.

  16. 'There is a lot of making up to do for Spurs'published at 14:39 BST 16 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Tottenham celebrationImage source, Getty Images

    Matthew: Hi Phil, is this Spurs squad good enough to compete on all fronts this season or do January reinforcements seem necessary?

    I think we have to place all this in context. Spurs won the Europa League last season, but they finished 17th in the Premier League so there is a lot of making up to do.

    I would say with the squad they have, Thomas Frank should be aiming for top six in the Premier League, qualify for the Champions League knockout stage and challenge for a cup.

    I think they have a squad capable of doing that and, as always, I am sure Spurs will be looking to strengthen in January.

  17. Tottenham team newspublished at 14:31 BST 16 September

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Thomas Frank confirmed Dominic Solanke is "not ready to be involved" but is "taking steps in the right direction".

    Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, and James Maddison are all out of action for the foreseeable future due to significant injuries.

    Meanwhile Randal Kolo Muani is available and will be involved.

  18. Tottenham's Champions League inexperiencepublished at 14:30 BST 16 September

    Tottenham v Villarreal (20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham's Rodrigo BentancurImage source, Getty Images

    Tottenham's game against Villarreal tonight will be their first in the Champions League since 2022-23, when they reached the last 16.

    In the intervening two years their squad has changed a fair bit - this is now a group with little experience at Europe's top table.

    Rodrigo Bentancur leads the way with 37 appearances in the competition, and is one of just four players in the squad with 15 or more Champions League games to his name.

    Mohammed Kudus has the most Champions League goals to his name, with four, despite only playing nine games in the competition during his time with Ajax.

    Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Djed Spence, Mickey van der Ven, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert are among those who could make their debuts in the tournament tonight.

  19. Arteta excited to start from scratchpublished at 14:24 BST 16 September

    Alex Howell
    BBC Sport football reporter in Bilbao

    Mikel Arteta said in yesterday's news conference that he is excited to "start from scratch" as Arsenal prepare to play Athletic Club in their first Champions League game of the season.

    The Gunners reached the semi-final stage of the competition last season, losing to eventual winners Paris St-Germain.

    Arsenal beat Athletic Club 3-0 in their final pre-season game of the summer, but have some injury worries coming into this fixture.

    Captain Martin Odegaard came off with a shoulder problem in the win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday and has not travelled to Spain.

    The Gunners are also going to be without Bukayo Saka and Ben White, who has a minor issue and did not train.

    However, Arsenal have been given a boost as William Saliba is back in the squad after missing the match on Saturday with an ankle problem.

    William Saliba in trainingImage source, Getty Images
  20. 'Key for Arsenal is consistency'published at 14:15 BST 16 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Mikel Arteta and Eberechi EzeImage source, Getty Images

    Daniel: Hi Phil, with Arsenal in great shape, do you think they finally have the squad depth and firepower to consistently challenge on two fronts, or more? What is going to be the crucial thing for them this season, apart from keeping injuries to key players to a minimum, of course?

    Hi Daniel. I do think they now have the depth and firepower but I think the key is consistency. They need to maintain the high level that will be needed, not throw in some of those occasional performances where they let themselves down.

    Every lost point will be crucial this season.

    I also thought manager Mikel Arteta was too cautious at Liverpool. Liverpool had looked vulnerable in their first couple of games, but Arteta utilised a conservative game plan and Arsenal lost to a late goal.